Yarn tensioning device and break detector for spoolers



y 29, 1951 H. G. LIND 2,555,045

YARN TENSIONING DEVICE AND BREAK DETECTOR FOR SPOOLERS 1 Filed Nov 4.1947 .IINVIZNTOR. Harry G. Lina *CJL m mw ATTORNEYS Patented May 29,1951 YARN TENSIONING DEVICE AND BREAK DETECTOR FOR SPOOLERS Harry G.Lind, Rockford, Ill., assignor to Barber- Colman Company, Rockford,111., a corporation of Illinois Application November 4, 1947, SerialNo'. 783,898

.13 Claims. 1

The invention pertains to yarn winding ma chines or spoolers of the typedisclosed in C01- man Patent No. 1,267,977, and has particular referenceto a device for tensioning the strand running from the bobbin which isbeing unwound to the cheese or yarn mass which is being formed.

When unwinding yarn from so-called warp wound bobbins, a considerableamount of friction develops in the unwinding of the yarn from the bobbinso that the running strand is placed under sufficient tension to insurethe formation of a firm and hard cheese. But when using filling wound.bobbins as the source of supply of the yarn, the yarn unwinds freelywith the result that the tension imposed upon the running strand isinsufficient to form a satisfactory. yarn mass or cheese.

With the foregoing in View, the primary object of the present inventionis to provide in a spooler of the character indicated a tensioningdevice operative to subject the running strand. to sufiicient tension topermit the use of filling wound bobbins While avoiding the formation ofloose or soft yarn masses or cheeses.

Spoolers of the type referred to employ between each bobbin and yarnmass or cheese a device for detecting the exhaustion or breakage of therunning strand. This means comprises, as disclosed in said Colmanpatent, a grid and an associated detector responsive to the exhaustionor breakage 'of the thread and operative in such event to shift or throwout the cheese from its normal running position to an inactive position.Cheeses thus shifted into inactive positions are operated upon by awinder tendin mechanism whose function it is to seize the loose ends ofthe threads leading to the cheeses and to unite them by meansof a tyingmechanism to form a new running strand, The Winder tending mechanismfurther operates to position the detector with respect to the grid so asto receive the new strand and to restore the cheese to active or runningposition. A more specific object of the present invention is to providein association with the grid a thread tensioning device so correlatedwith the detector as to be shifted together with the detector into openrelation to the grid by the winder tending mechanism and subsequentlyrestored by such mechanism to active position.

The objects of the invention thus generally set forth, together withother and ancillary advantages, are attained by the construction andarrangement shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings,in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the winding unitsof a spooler of the type shown in said Colman patent and incorporatingmy improved yarn detecting and tensioning device, a portion of thewinder tending mecha nism also being shown.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view partially in section showing the detectingand tensioning device in plan.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating themounting of the detector and tensioning element.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, I have shown one of a series ofwinding units which are arranged side-by-side about the spooler frame,each unit having a support such as a device generally designated l2 andthence past a stationary grid I3 with which is operatively associated adetector in the form of a finger l4 bearing lightly upon the runningstrand as the same passes over the grid l3 and operative upon thebreakage or exhaustion of the strand to interrupt the winding operation.As in the case of said Colman patent, the cheese support H is in theform of an arm pivoted on a bracket l5 and having integral therewith anarm IE to which is attached a U-shaped bail H. The detector finger M isfast upon a vertical rockshaft I8 urged by a torsion spring IS in adirection to move the finger I4 against the running strand. The upperend of the shaft carries an arm '20 positioned for engagement with thebail l1 and operative when the shaft I 8 is rocked by its spring uponbreakage or exhaustion of the thread, to swing the bail into the path ofa constantly oscillating hook 2|. As a result, when the finger l4detects the breakage or exhaustion of the running strand, the bail isswung into the path of the hook 2i and is drawn downwardly thereby so asto cause the cheese supporting arm II to be shifted into its inactiveposition. In the winding position, the cheese rests upon a revolvingdrum 22 so as to be driven thereby.

.One of the functions of the winder tending mechanism, as aboveindicated, is to shift the detector finger M from the position occupiedthereby after breakage or exhaustion of the thread, first into open orspaced relation to the grid [3 (see Fig. 2) so as to permit entry of thenew strand formed by the reunited threads and then reversely into activeposition in engagement with the strand. For this purpose, the verticalrockshaft I8 is actuated in the travel of the winder tending mechanismby cam means comprising, s hnra a M 3 a isie y th winderltendingmechanism and enacting with the arfn ZKL which serves to shift the bailI! as above described, and an additional arm 24 fix e d on the upper endof the rockshaft. This cammeans is substantially identicakwith.thatdisclosed in said Colman patent and it thereto a deemed unnecessaryto illustrate and describe the same in detail. In generali thebar 23: ispro;-

vided with a cam surface 25 coacting with the arm 24, and a cam surface26 coacting with the arm 20, the arrangement b ing;i h;th a1th 24 on theshaft I8 is first engaged by the cam surface 25 so as to i part apartial rotational or rocking movement 0 the shaft and the cam surfaceZS cooperating withlthearm:Zihcempletes the rockingnioizement Camsurfaces and 28 control we. movement ofthewshaftin a; reverse directionaslthetwinder tendinglmechanism continues. in its. travel.

In carrying. out my invention, I- providea. yarn tensioning'deviceespring pressed 2111130, a predetermined strand deflectingposition relativeltothe grid: I3 during the. windinaQDeration andalsongedrformovementin the travel'ofthel-winder I tending mechanism firstinto open relationtqthe grid landlthen into, activecpositien forthe-windin operation. In ,thepresent embodiment Qi;my -,lnvention Iprovide an additional fingerEmperatigely. associated,v with the shafiirl8 -;-and -=l he ,detectornnger- 14, in.- a mann rsuq hat-both fin rs;are utilized, tapetferm. the: tensien ee fun ti0n.

Ref rrin now? -F s; hand-:3; ther c shai I 8i= s= s uppe aend. iourn .dn a u ack n39, lts lower end is formed w .stud,- 3I re ived n oc e i -lt .theupner eat, ec ndtmq naf lfitt h lat e eing axiallylalined withhhamh sbafi fleri u ee et qsata pee ctiin. rack t-1 5; and em ts-la r- Qa sk t rm dete terfieeet t r i -l teuresh n i lgrk fitfiaeel -fihlever611 of Y .g ee ienfist e h y gst 1!- h ig S at q. n l, P9 5 e vest igutmextent amer went it el fin nrwq the "spring; as and to hold the tensioi'ng. finger A; ii torsion fl 3v so, aslto, be

I the light sprin l9;

4 with the running strand between the upper and intermediate fingers 42and 43, and the tensioning finger 29 bears upon the strand between theintermediate and lower grid fingers 63 and 44. The tension of the spring19 is such as to cause the detector finger [4 to bear upon the runningreiteratin l It will he observed that the detectqr finger 14 must becapable of movement by its spring I9 U in the event of breakage orexhaustion of the thread independently of the tensioning finger 29. Atgthesame time rocking movements imparted ,toh. the shaft [8 by the cambar 23 coacting with thearmsjg ztznu s t be transmitted to thetengfinger .Eqr this purpose, a one-way connection is progided betweenthe blocks 36 and 31 (Fig. 3) This connection is provided in the presentinstance-lbytmeans of a pin 45 rigid with the lower block 3! andprojecting therefrom into abutting relation to a shoulder 46 on theupper block 36. It Will be seen that by this construction thefingen-Hbisiree to. moverearwardly under the-infiuenceof its spring l9-(Fig. 1) upon breakage or-exhaustion of: the. running strand while thetensioning finger 29 remains.- stationary. On the other hand; reverse.rotational movementof. theshaft. I78. by the camlmeans on the windertending mechanism is transmitted through the. one-way connectionr lfig.461 between the blockstfi. and-13:1: Asa result, bothoL-the fingers. I9and 29am rendered operative-by-the cam means forshiftingthe, finger intoQ961 relation to. thegrid and: then-restoring them to theiractive-positions.

It will also be. seen that by. the construction and arrangement; set'forththe spring 3l8rser-ves to impart a tensioningqfunctionato, thedeteetor finger.- while enabling, the latter? to perform, its detectingfunction solely under the-influeneeaof hushe sprin .81 acts t rou e: onwarnnect on" 4 7 held the;- fin er n. a, os t on e a iv et hee riddeterm d hest p 3 0;: ich'no itien et an 'z d fl tedt n am un erresmndinq,-:. a r du er by "the fin er llz 1* laim a my? inventi n:

1.- In -,-a winder having supports 1 for; a bobbin nde ew .m ansa ortectm n rnailson aka e o a nin t' trande ten m rom he bo bin-t ther h ei. me snnsn a de ermi d r f en i e on; h tm sa dteqtina nd eas qnia mens: nc din vm va e m nts. and sprin s fe m9Y'il '4- h? z eme e e deatllmdrcam 0pt at me ns f z ftingt eie r w le em nt vor breakage oj arunningstrandextendingjrom h ehbmi t heh es means e v mrpsm p edate mneochde een r nsient the runnin tr nd; a detect n nd. ensien n e nlll itaen 9 ar rildl ndl ana r n pv hl t mentsm vnted n a ommgn tension..- winng, .,m9yem ntto wa td d mm;. hel 1t prm or y n h he morable. elementsnde endent in one iree onl andr ea sl or; hiitina ai mwahle l mentsonipi ltl ag in t he ctiq .11 lnder ha inav u pqrtsl or abehbi and a esemeans; forI etettma heexhws- 91 .01.". breakage of. a.r nn n f randxtensi romithgbe bin' will? hee e for; m etns ,a. I predeterwged; dgree. f a ens on, n, he

running strand, said means comprising a grid having a plurality ofstationary fingers, a plurality of movable fingers normally engageablewith the running strand to hold it against the grid and spring means formoving the movable fingers independently to urge them against therunning strand, and means having a common actuator for shifting saidmovable fingers against the action of said spring means.

4. In a winder having supports for a bobbin and a cheese, means fordetecting the exhaustion or breakage of a running strand extending fromthe bobbin to the cheese, means for imposing a predetermined degree oftension on the running strand, said means comprising a plurality ofstationary strand engaging elements, a pair of movable thread engagingelements, means providing a one-way connection between said movableelements, spring means operative upon the respective movable elements tourge them into engagement with the strand, and means operative throughsaid one-way connection to shift said movable elements conjointlyagainst the action of said spring means.

5. In a winder having supports for a bobbin and a cheese, means fordetecting the exhaustion or breakage of a running strand extending fromthe bobbin to the cheese, means for imposing a predetermined degree oftension on the running strand, said means comprising a plurality ofstationary thread engaging elements, a pair of movable thread engagingelements, a rockshaft supporting each of said elements, means providinga one-Way connection between said rockshafts, a spring for each of saidshafts tending to shift the movable elements independently, and meansfor shifting one of said shafts reversely against the action of itsspring means, the last mentioned means being operative throughsaidone-way connection to shift the other movable element against the actionof its spring means.

6. In a winder having supports for a bobbin and a cheese, means fordetecting the exhaustion or breakage of a running strand extending fromthe bobbin to the cheese comprising a rockshaft, a movable strandengaging detecting element on said shaft, a spring yieldably holdingsaid detecting element against the strand, and means for shifting saidelement reversely against the action of said spring; and means forimposing a predetermined degree of tension on the running strandincluding a movable tensioning element, a spring acting upon saidtensioning element tending to urge it against said strand, and meansproviding a connection between said tensioning element and saidrockshaft operative to shift the element reversely conjointly with thedetector element.

7. In a winder having supports for a bobbin and a cheese, means fordetecting the exhaustion or breakage of a running strand extending fromthe bobbin to the cheese comprising a rockshaft, a movable strandengaging detectin element on said shaft, a spring yieldably holding saiddetecting element against the strand, and means for shifting saidelement reversely against the action of said spring; and means forimposing a predetermined degree of tension on the runnin strandincluding a movable tensioning element, a second rockshaft carrying saidtensionin element, a spring for said second shaft acting to move thetensioning element against said strand, and a one-way connection betweensaid shafts operative in the reverse rotation of the first shaft toactuate the second shaft.

8. In a winder having supports for a bobbin and a cheese, means fordetecting the exhaustion or breakage of a running strand extending fromthe bobbin to the cheese comprising a rockshaft, a movable strandengaging detecting element on said shaft, a stationary grid, a springyieldably urging said detecting element relative to the grid and againstthe strand, and means for shifting said element reversely against theaction of said spring; and means for imposing a predetermined degree oftension on the running strand including a movable tensioning element, atensioning spring acting upon said tensioning element tending to urge itagainst said strand, stop means for limiting the movement of thetensioning element by its spring, and means providing a one-wayconnection between said tensioning element and said rockshaft operativeto shift the element reversely coniointly with the detector element,said one-way connection being operative to transmit the force of thetensioning spring to said detecting element to hold it in apredetermined strand deflecting position relative to the grid.

9. In a winder having supports for a bobbin and a cheese, means fordetecting the exhaustion or breakage of a running strand extending fromthe bobbin to the cheese comprising a rockshaft, a movable strandengaging detecting element on said shaft, a stationary strand engagingelement, a spring acting on said detecting element to hold it lightlyagainst the strand, a second rockshaft having a one-way connection withthe first rockshaft, a tensioning spring acting on said second rockshaftthrough said connection to urge said detector element against strand andstop means for limiting the movement of the detector by said tensioningspring.

10. In a winder having supports for a bobbin and a cheese, means forimposing a predetermined degree of tension on a running strand extendingfrom the bobbin to the cheese comprising a stationary grid, having apair of straight parallel strand engaging elements, a movable tensioningfinger coacting with said grid and yieldably urged in a direction tobear upon the running strand, stop means for limiting the extent ofmovement of the movable finger to maintain it in parallel relation tothe strand engaging elements of the grid, and cam means for shiftingsaid movable element in a direction away from said grid.

11. For a winder having means for detecting the exhaustion or breakageof a running strand including a grid, a detector finger and a rockshaftsupporting thefinger for movement relative to the grid, and cam operatedmeans for rocking said shaft reversely to move said finger into openrelation to the grid; a strand tensioning device comprising a tensioningfinger and a supporting member therefor, means for rotatably supportingsaid member in axial alinement with said shaft, a spring acting on saidmember to urge the tensioning finger toward said grid, and meansproviding a one-way connection between said member and said rockshafteffective' only in the reverse movement of the rockshaft by said cammeans.

12. For a winder having supports for a bobbin and a cheese and a gridfor engagement by a running strand extending from the bobbin to thecheese; a detector finger, means for swingably supporting the finger formovement relative to said grid, a spring yieldably urging said fingerlightly against said strand to hold it against said 7 rid a em erefqetahle te a ive z nger ha n a; ne-way see-metion h r w h) atenfsiomne s r n ey said membe zact ng n. ai fin e hr h e d:- qonpe t qnd 1 1! eans oe em ine mo em m' of; h fin er by said n.- s o n i pn n32-.v n ind nhe ng up ers o a bo bin and; a cheese, a; statipngrygridhaying a plurality of elementg fprengagement; by a, strand; ext nd n romhe b bb nto e h es 2 m able strand: engggipg element, a spring tendingto move said movable element through the grid ne n; haus n- Q breakag othe r,v a seqollsi: mo able elemen meunt d for movement owerdhe mm. .1 srin el ve y av r han aid-fies m nt one pn n gam ac p a second element,stopmeans for limiting the moveme t of sa d' econd element y p ns. andmeans for transmitting the, force ofthe. sec.. 0nd or heavierspring: tothe first strand engaging element;

, HARRY G. LIND.

REFERENCES. CITED The following references. are. of record in the me ofthisv patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name- Date 682,77Q Wardwell Sept; 1-1, 19011; 2619-77 Colman May 28, 1918

